George Hudson RIP

Farewell to a great Sky Blue legend.

So sad to hear of the passing of George Hudson, Coventry City center forward supreme between 1963 and 1966. From the 1960s era, full of so many Sky Blue memories for those lucky enough to have been around, I find two names stand out in the hero stakes – those of Ian Gibson and George Hudson.

As a youngster George was my first football hero, in just short of three years he scored 75 goals – 63 in the League – for the Sky Blues before moving on to Northampton Town in a move so controversial three coachloads of City fans are believed to have left Pool Meadow to watch his debut for the Cobblers!

Born in Crumpsall, North Manchester in 1937, his first two clubs were local. He made four starts for Blackburn Rovers in the top division in the 1958-59 season, scoring his first league goal in a 3-1 win over Luton Town. He dropped down the divisions to join nearby Accrington Stanley. In season 1960-61 he scored a remarkable 35 goals in 44 appearances earning a move to Peterborough. Another 38 goals in 65 games alerted the Sky Blues who signed Hudson in April 1963 for a club record fee of £21,000. He hit a hat-trick on his debut against Halifax Town, the first of many as the goals went on rolling in during the Division Three promotion season of 1963-64, and on to consolidate in the Second Division.

Among the other hat-tricks were three at Leyton Orient, at QPR , and at Trowbridge in the FA Cup. Two of his goals stand out – April 1964, side footing home the match winner in the game which secured the championship trophy, and the one everyone remembers- an act of great skill, flicking the ball over the head of a hapless Tony Knapp, running past him and heading over the keeper to score against Southampton in a 5-1 home win in September 1965.

George was approaching 30 when he left Highfield Road. He scored a few for Northampton ( 6 in 18 games) before seeing out his career at Tranmere. His final record was 163 League goals in 297 games, with many more in Cup ties and friendlies.

After finishing playing George I believe worked for the Daily Mirror when it was still printed in Manchester and came down to Coventry a number of times to attend Legends Days, the last one two years ago. It was always amusing to see the look on the faces of younger fans wondering who this was getting a much louder cheer than so many later bigger names! So thanks, George, for the memories and the goals!